STEM Apprentice Teacher - Denver - DSST Public Schools

Description

Thank you for your interest in joining the 2026 cohort of the DSST STEM Apprentice Teacher Program.
The DSST STEM Apprentice Teacher (AT) Program is a year-long, paid teaching residency designed for aspiring educators who want to learn to teach through practice, coaching, and gradual responsibility. Apprentice Teachers work full time in DSST classrooms while completing a state-approved teacher licensure program, allowing you to earn while you learn and prepare to lead your own classroom the following year.
As part of this role, DSST seeks to fully fund the cost of licensure coursework during the residency year and provides a full-time salary, benefits, and coaching. In exchange for this investment, Apprentice Teachers commit to teaching full time at DSST for at least two additional school years following the residency year, if hired into a Lead Teacher role.
Please review this position description carefully before applying. By completing this application, you will be placed into our talent pool for the 2026 cohort. If you have questions or require a different timeline, please contact
Position: STEM Apprentice Teacher (Fixed-term, 11-month residency: July 2026-June 2027)
Grade Levels: Middle or High School placements
Status: Full-time, benefits-eligible, exempt, in-person position (Denver, CO)
Location: Interviews will be aligned to school openings, location preferences, and content interests shared in your application
Salary:

• $48, 000 during the Apprentice Teacher (residency) year
• $60,000-$82,000 if hired into a Lead Teacher role in year two
• Relocation stipend available for anyone joining us from 75+ miles outside the Denver area

Start Date:

• Licensure program summer coursework typically begins in mid-July
• DSST new staff training begins in late July
• View the current School Year Calendar here.

ABOUT THE APPRENTICE TEACHER ROLE
The DSST Apprentice Teacher Program is a structured teaching residency, not a traditional teaching role.
Apprentice Teachers are not teachers of record. During the first part of the year, Apprentice Teachers primarily observe, support, and co-teach alongside their Mentor Teacher. Through a structured gradual release model, Apprentice Teachers take on increasing responsibility for lesson planning, instruction, assessment, and classroom management over time, with the goal of being ready to lead their own classroom the following school year.
Your primary responsibility is to learn, practice, and reflect, with the support of a DSST Mentor Teacher and a network of educators committed to your development.
This role is:

• A full-time, in-person learning-focused teaching residency
• A pathway to becoming a licensed DSST Lead Teacher
• Designed for individuals who are confident they want to pursue teaching as a long-term career
• An opportunity to build skills through practice, coaching, and gradual responsibility

This role is not:

• A traditional teacher-of-record position
• A "try-it-out" role for deciding whether you enjoy teaching
  (If you are interested in exploring teaching or working with students in other ways, DSST offers additional pathways that may be a better fit) Core learning experiences include:
  Apprentice Teachers engage in a range of structured learning opportunities, including:
  • Shadowing and co-teaching with an assigned Mentor Teacher
  • Observing a variety of DSST classrooms and teaching styles
  • Practicing teaching in real classrooms with coaching and feedback
  • Participating in school- and network-wide professional development
  • Engaging in a state-approved teacher licensure program
  • Supporting additional school needs as appropriate and aligned to learning and development goals
  Apprentice Teachers receive regular feedback and are evaluated based on growth, professionalism, instructional practice, and readiness to step into a Lead Teacher role.
  SAMPLE APPRENTICE TEACHER SCHEDULE
  This example illustrates how observation, practice, and feedback are intentionally built into the Apprentice Teacher experience. Schedules vary by campus, mentor teacher, and content area.
  Placement: 7th Grade Science (Mid-September)
  • 8:20-8:50: Co-lead homeroom (advisory of ~15 students)
  • 8:53-10:05: Meet with mentor to review lessons & prep materials
  • 10:08-11:20: Observe mentor teaching 7th Grade Science
  • 11:20-11:50: Lunch duty (cafeteria supervision)
  • 11:53-1:05: Observe mentor and another science classroom
  • 1:09-2:21: Lunch and observation debrief with mentor
  • 2:24-3:36: Teach first 15 minutes of 7th Grade Science class, then observe mentor for remainder of period
  • 3:36-4:00: Students dismissed; organize classwork that was turned in & make copies for tomorrow
  LICENSURE & DSST's INVESTMENT IN YOU
  Apprentice Teachers participate in a state-approved teacher licensure program aligned to DSST's instructional model. Licensure partners may vary by cohort.
  DSST fully funds the cost of licensure coursework during the residency year, allowing candidates to earn their teaching license without taking on tuition debt.
  In exchange for this investment, Apprentice Teachers commit to teaching at DSST for two additional school years following the residency year, provided they are offered and accept a Lead Teacher position. This mutual commitment allows DSST to invest deeply in your development while ensuring continuity and stability for our students and school communities.
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • A completed Bachelor's Degree (any major) prior to start date
  • Passion for Math, Science, or other STEM-related subjects
  • An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives, demonstrated through actions, reflection, or prior experience
  • Desire to grow professionally as an anti-racist educator
  • Self-awareness, reflective practice, and a commitment to continuous improvement
  • Ability to commit fully to an in-person, full-time residency and licensure program
  IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience working with students (any setting) ages 11-18
  • Experience working with students of color, students with disabilities, multilanguage learners, or first generation college-bound students
  Who We Are
  At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students - 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.
  We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us - more brilliance, more courage, more possibility - to join us.
  Our Impact
  • 100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
  • 15 of 16 schools rated Green on the SPF
  • 9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
  • 95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people
  Why Work at DSST?
  At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.
  • Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
  • Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
  • Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish.
  • Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave.
  • Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.
  Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.
  Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.
  Physical Demands